Mark Cosgrove will return as the missing link in South Australia’s push for a first Sheffield Shield title in 19 seasons.

South Australian Cricket Association will be righting a wrong by reclaiming its only current home grown batsman to average 40 in first class cricket.

Cosgrove was axed by SA in 2010 and promptly steered Tasmania to two Shield titles. Cosgrove told The Advertiser he was happily “leaving for his honeymoon” on Tuesday night and will be comforted to return close to family in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The Redbacks missed a Shield final berth on run quotient this year but his departure triggered four straight wooden spoons.

The Advertiser revealed Cosgrove had lost 16 kilograms last spring in a concerted bid for an Australian recall. The left-hander was sabotaged by a broken finger he played all season with for Tasmania.